DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
MADRAS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
ANNA UNIVERSITY
AE 5811 Final Year Project II
DESIGN, FABRICATION
AND TESTING OF A MORPHING WING IN
EXPERIMENTAL UAV
Guided by Presented by
[Link] Selvaganesh R - 2021501305
Assistant Professor Senior Grade Karthickumar N - 2021501316
Department of Aerospace Engineering Deepak kumar B - 2021501320
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the morphing wing is to increase aircraft performance in different flight phases. Performance parameters
that can be developed with the morphing wing concept; are important parameters such as maximum speed, fuel
consumption, maneuverability, carrying capacity, range, durability and stability. Improving some or all of these
parameters will increase flight efficiency and expand the possible mission profiles that the aircraft can perform.
Improvement of performance parameters has been achieved especially by changing the wing section and air net shapes.
This is achieved through a variety of morphing mechanisms, including structure-based, material-based, and hybrid
approaches.
Our project, focuses on creating a UAV with morphing wing technology. The goal is to enhance flight efficiency and
maneuverability by allowing the wings to change shape in response to flight conditions.
This involves designing adaptable wing structures, fabricating and testing them in controlled environments like a
wind tunnel.
The testing phase evaluates performance improvements in areas such as lift, drag, and stability. This innovative
approach could lead to more versatile uavs, capable of adjusting to different mission requirements in real-time.
We spilt a project into 4 phases namely
Design Simulation Fabrication Testing
phase phase phase phase
Project 2 – workflow
Component Fabrication: With the ribs already fabricated, the next step is to manufacture other critical UAV components, including
wing skins, spar structures, and control surfaces. We also fabricated the model for wind tunnel testing .
Flow visualization: Slip joint flow visualization in a smoke tunnel helps study airflow behavior around a slip joint.
Actuator Testing and Actuator Tuning :Actuator testing and tuning in our project focus on calibrating a servo motor to achieve
precise angular control. This involves testing the servo’s response, accuracy, and stability under different input signals. Proper tuning
ensures smooth and accurate movement, which is essential for controlling the morphing wing mechanism effectively.
Wind Tunnel Testing. Wind tunnel testing of a morphing wing segment in our project focuses on measuring aerodynamic coefficients
like lift (), drag (), and moment (). These tests help analyze the effects of morphing on stability, efficiency, and flow characteristics
under different flight conditions. The data obtained will aid in optimizing the morphing wing design for improved aerodynamic
performance and adaptability
Control Systems Design :Control systems design for UAVs focuses on developing algorithms to stabilize and maneuver the aircraft
efficiently. It involves designing controllers for altitude, attitude, and navigation using sensors and actuators while ensuring both
longitudinal and lateral stability. By optimizing these control strategies, UAVs achieve precise flight performance and adaptability in
various conditions.
Component fabrication
We designed and 3D-printed ribs and a wind tunnel wing model using
a CATIA V5 and Ender3 3d printer. The ribs were optimized for
structural integrity and morphing capabilities, while the wing model
was fabricated for aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel.
Flow visualization
The flow sticking to the surface before separating. • The flow sticks to the surface.
Vortices forming at sharp edges. • As the deflection increases, the flow separates from the
surface.
A wake of turbulent air behind the joint. • Vortices form near sharp edges.
Changes in pressure and drag around the joint • A turbulent wake forms behind the joint, creating low pressure
Actuactor mechanism
(a) the servo Our morphing wing uses an SG90 servo motor controlled by
(b) the servo arm Arduino Uno for shape changing. The servo moves the wing in
(c) the pickup that, in turn, is connected to (d) real-time to improve aerodynamics. Arduino sends signals to
the sliding lower surface. This lower surface control the servo's position. This system allows smooth and
moves in and out of (e) the slot. The fibers are controlled morphing of the wing. It helps in adjusting lift and
bonded on the internal surface of (f) the upper drag for better performance. The setup is tested in a wind
surface of the module that seamlessly connects tunnel for analysis
to the wingbox.
Tunning for model
We have completed the tuning for our morphing wing UAV at 0°, 5°, 15°, and 20°. This helps the wing change shape
smoothly during flight. The adjustments improve stability and control. Our next step is to test its performance. Wind
tunnel tests and flight tests will follow. This brings us closer to using morphing wings in real UAVs.
Our project utilizes 3D-printed wings with morphing trailing edge technology inspired by Benjamin
C. Moulton and Douglas F. Hunsaker.
We have adopted parabolic and articulated flap geometries to enhance aerodynamic performance.
The NACA 2412 airfoil is used as the base airfoil for implementing the morphing mechanism.
These modifications help improve lift, drag, and maneuverability during different flight conditions.
Blockage Ratio:
• The ratio of the cross-sectional area occupied by a model to the total cross-sectional area of the test section in a wind [Link]
helps determine how much the model obstructs the airflow.
Blockage Ratio = 100%
• Typically, wind tunnel tests aim for a blockage ratio below 5-10% to minimize interference effects.
• A high blockage ratio can cause inaccurate results due to increased flow speed and pressure effects around the model.
• Cross area of wing =15.76mm300mm
• Wind tunnel test section area =600mm600mm
Blockage Ratio = 100%
=1.313% 5%
We are using XFLR5 for longitudinal stability analysis to determine the phugoid and short-period
modes. Our work is currently in progress.
References
Design and experimental testing of a control system for a morphing wing model actuated with miniature BLDC motors.
Teodor Lucian GRIGORIE , Shehryar KHAN , Ruxandra Mihaela BOTEZ ,Mahmoud MAMOU c, Youssef ME´BARKI
Sensing, Actuation, and Control of the SmartX Prototype Morphing Wing in the Wind Tunnel.
Nakash Nazeer , Xuerui Wang and Roger M. Groves
Design, Manufacturing and Wind Tunnel Test of a Morphing Wing Based on Compliant Structures.
Alessandro De Gaspari, Luca Riccobene† and Sergio Ricci, Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy
Design and experimental testing of a control system for a morphing wing model actuated with miniature BLDC motors.
Teodor Lucian GRIGORIE , Shehryar KHAN , Ruxandra Mihaela BOTEZ ,Mahmoud MAMOU c, Youssef ME´BARKI
Sensing, Actuation, and Control of the SmartX Prototype Morphing Wing in the Wind Tunnel.
Nakash Nazeer , Xuerui Wang and Roger M. Groves
Design, Manufacturing and Wind Tunnel Test of a Morphing Wing Based on Compliant Structures.
Alessandro De Gaspari, Luca Riccobene† and Sergio Ricci, Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy
